Long Term Protection of Lands

By Terry Rees

Land Trusts are non-government, non-profit community based organizations, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and registered as charities. Trusts have a membership who share an interest in the preservation of lands within a geographic area. In the central Ontario region, the Kawartha Heritage Conservancy operates to help preserve lands of natural, aesthetic or historic value in the Kawartha area for the benefit of the present and future generations.

This protection is accomplished by the KHC in a number of ways:

• To preserve lands of natural, historic or aesthetic value through accepting title by donation or purchase or by placing restrictions on title through conservation easement.

• To manage these lands in a way that best protects their ecological or historic features.

• To raise and administer funds, in a prudent manner, to achieve the mission and objectives of the Trust.

• To implement all programs in a non-confrontational way and encourage landowners to become involved on a voluntary basis.

Many of these measures can have significant tax benefits for the landowner.

Recent KHC activities include a successful launch of the KHC on June 22nd on Pigeon Lake, site of the first KHC Easement. This landmark property, representing over 100 acres of near shore habitat, over 2000 feet (750 metres) of shoreline, and a class I wetland will benefit from the foresight of owner Mieke Schipper, and through the tools provided by the KHC.

Work is also underway to assess the natural values and attributes of another parcel being protected through KHC, 100 acres of upland woodland adjacent to Chandos Lake.

KHC has begun a review of strategic properties in the region, and identifying possible landowners and properties for these private protective measures.

During the next five years the volunteers of the Trust have pledged to:

• Expand the area of operations to include additional areas within the Kawartha Lakes, within the City of Kawartha Lakes, City and Counties of Peterborough and Haliburton.

• Maintain community support.

• Continue to raise Endowment Funds with the goal of 20% of the appraised value of the lands the Trust owns and manages.

• On Lake Kasshabog, landowners can take advantage of the KHC's tools to preserve the quality of the lake experience.

If you have questions about how creative approaches can ensure your property is protected long-term, please contact the KHC.